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I. O H, THE P LACES Y OU ’ LL G O ! Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go. You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there." With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

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And you may not find any you'll want to go down. In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town. It's opener there in the wide open air. Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too. OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

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II. G O BACK A WAYS, PERHAPS … Find the teacher who made a difference in your life. Write about that experience. Share with an elbow buddy. Share with the class. Sharon Draper story

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III. P URSUING A T EACHING C AREER When did you decide to pursue a teaching career? What factors influenced your decision?

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IV. “Y ES, I AM A TEACHER !” When did you know this? What was the event? Mr. Holland’s Opus – the clarinet scene eature=player_detailpage&v=qC zgK_DoKB4 eature=player_detailpage&v=qC zgK_DoKB4 Write and share

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V. T HE R OUGH D AYS I’m sorry to say so But, sadly, it’s true That Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up In a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch. You’ll come down from the Lurch With an unpleasant bump. And the chances are then, That you’ll be in a Slump. And when you’re in a Slump, You’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself Is not easily done.

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VI. W HAT HAPPENED ? What stole your joy? This is how I bounced back This is what I learned about myself I am better because……

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VII. T HIS IS WHY I TEACH Brian’s song Mary’s resolve “Tony” by Sharon Draper

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B RIAN ’ S S ONG 14 kids lost their lives over a period of 5 years Faith, Family, & Friends

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My professional goals stem from humble beginnings; their roots run back to my time as a child in a local school in Manila, Philippines, where I learned that education is the nourishment of a nation. I witnessed growing economic disparity and felt people’s ardent desire for social mobility. Immigrating to the U.S. presented linguistic and cultural challenges, but most importantly, the immigration process enriched my perspective on education practices and led me to question the palpable difference in quality found in schools in the U.S. and the Philippines. I am a patient dreamer who is awake. I understand that sustainable, positive change in education can be slow. John Dewey said, “The educational process has no end beyond itself; it is its own end.” …I intend to use my passion for lifelong learning to present a balanced approach to education. My ultimate goal is to be able to lead a school where students and teachers collaborate, create and implement ways in which they use their knowledge and talents to serve their local communities and eventually the international community. M Y S TORY, M Y P HILOSOPHY